Watlington Wildlife Open Gardens

In July WCAG and WEG ran Wildlife Open Gardens with the aim of inspiring people to think about what we can do in our own gardens for nature. 

The twelve gardens showcased a wide range of things that can be done for wildlife including:

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Wild areas with long grass and wildflowers

• Toad homes

• Bird baths

• Ponds

• Bee hotels

• Bird boxes including a sparrow terrace and swift boxes

• Log piles

• Hedgehog holes

• Woodland areas

• Bird feeders

• Trees of different heights and types

  
  

We also ran a bee hotel making activity, with 20 more bee hotels being made and beautifully decorated, building on the 28 that people made at the WCAG  / WEG joint stand at the Community Fair in June, bringing the total to 48 bee hotels! We have a small number of kits left over - if you would like one please contact us at watlingtonclimateaction@gmail.com.

With the hot dry weather we have experienced, it is more important than ever that we give wildlife a helping hand. But these gardens showed that what is good for nature is good for humans too. Inviting areas to sit surrounded by flowers, birds singing, and insects buzzing. The scents of different flowers such as lavender, marjoram, and rose. Cool shady areas under trees and inviting paths through longer grass. Hedges providing a living border and habitat for birds and hedgehogs as well as a backdrop of green.

Angus Nelson, who volunteered at the event, said "I volunteered at two of the gardens, where homeowners had transformed what is, for many, a place of comfort and personal sanctuary into spaces that also welcomed and supported wildlife. As I greeted and coordinated guests, it was inspiring to see how features such as wildflower meadows had restored biodiversity and sparked conversations about nature. The event was both educational and inspiring. Visitors from all backgrounds were eager to learn how they could make their own gardens more wildlife-friendly, demonstrating that small changes at home can have a positive impact on the environment."

We are likely to continue to experience ever hotter weather as our climate changes. When thinking about planting, it is a good idea to think about trees for shade in the future and drought-resistant species, as well as how to manage water during high rainfall events. 

Whilst some things are larger or longer term projects many things can be done straight away - a simple pond using an old sink or sandpit, a dish of water left out for a thirsty hedgehog, a hole cut in a fence, avoiding chemicals, embracing native self seeded wild flowers, installing a bird box or just leaving the grass to grow a bit longer, and your garden is already better for nature.

Many thanks to all the gardeners for opening their gates and to all the volunteers who made it happen.

To get involved or find out more please contact watlingtonclimateaction@gmail.com or info@watlington-environment-group.org.uk